Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography, tells of the man who bought an axe from the local blacksmith. The purchaser wanted the whole of its surface as bright as its edge, and this the smith said he would do, provided the man would turn the wheel while he ground it. It was a hard, wearisome job and often the man stopped to see how the axe was coming along. "Turn on, turn on," said the smith; "we shall have it bright by and by; as yet it is only quite speckled." "Yes," said the man, "But I think that I like the speckled axe best!"

 Is this not the case with too many of God's children? Rather than going all the way into the filly consecrated and victorious Christian life, they become satisfied with a "speckled axe" type of religion. Surely, there is more to Christianity than a superficial wax and shine being applied to the edges of our lives (2 Cor. 7:1). The dedicated Christian will keep the wheel turning daily!

 

Majority Rule

Topic(s): Prayer

A study of history teaches us that civilizations prosper when they follow God's will but fail when wickedness is allowed to prevail.

This great nation was founded on biblical principles and has flourished and prospered by the grace of God. However, the current trend in our society is to be tolerant of sin, to be entertained by it, to embrace it--or be labeled right-winged or fanatical.

This country's greatest influence is the deafening roar of the media spouting a steady stream of the devil's rhetoric. Something must be done to turn things around if America is to survive and thrive.

Matthew 7:13-14 teaches us that faithful followers of God will always be in the minority. In a political system where the majority rules, too many of us have given up and become complacent. But we cannot give up.

Our power is greater than a majority rule. Where is our faith? If God be for us who can be against us (Rm. 8:31)? We must use our resources; our voices, our influence, our money and mostly our prayers to save this country. There is a saying that goes something like this: "All that is necessary for evil to flourish is that good men do nothing." It is time to take a stand and let our voices be heard. The world will label us as religious fanatics. We may lose credibility with worldly minded neighbors and may suffer some persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Let us be set for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:17).

 

Righteous But Ruined

Topic(s): Encouragement, Christian Life

Lot is remembered with the infamous city of Sodom. Yet Lot was not evil; the Bible names him "righteous Lot" (2 Pet. 2:6). He kept himself from the evil of Sodom. He did not buy into "when in Rome, do as the Romans." He did right while everyone else was doing wrong. Good for Lot!

More, Lot's attitude was right toward evil. He "...was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked" (2:7). He never got comfortable with abominations. "...for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds ..." (2:8). His resistance rose from “his righteous soul"-good character He was a flower in a briar patch.

Lot stood up for right-even when the entire city opposed him (Gen. 19:4, 9). He did not back down-not even if it cost him dearly-not even when he was protecting strangers. He had courage; he did the right thing.

God accepted Lot-pronounced him "righteous" and "godly" (2 Pet. 2:9). Righteous says he did right; godly says he respected God. Good marks for Lot.

"Righteous Lot" got all those important things exactly right. But then, there is the rest of the story--his ruin. He got some very important things terribly wrong not sinful, but bad-not evil, but foolish. His ruin was the result. "Does the Bible say I will go to hell if I do that?" Maybe not. Bad decisions are not necessarily sinful, yet they may surely ruin your life-even without sending you to hell.

Lot chose Sodom's fertile plains-and in the bargain acquired Sodom's problems and enemies. Soon he was a captive. Chedorlaomer conquered Sodom, and "They also took Lot, Abram's brother's son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed" (Gen. 14:12). He lost everything even his freedom by being in Sodom. Moving to Sodom was not a sin, but it surely meant ruin. Only Abram's rescue spared "righteous Lot" from a total disaster (Gen. 14: 16).

Lot chose green grass and water without considering the evil environment. Was it a good place to live'? Was it hazardous to Lot and his family? Oh, yes! It was a good place for sheep; it was a terrible place for people-especially children. "Righteous Lot" surely learned the high cost of living there.

He entered Sodom as "rich Lot." He did not leave rich. There was hardly time to move his livestock before the brimstone rained down. Where do you next find Lot?   "...he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave" (Gen. 19:30). I think Sodom spelled financial ruin for "righteous Lot-still righteous but ruined by a foolish, materialistic choice.

Though Lot vacated Sodom, his ruin was far from over. His family remained in smoldering Sodom. Before Lot was clear of the plains, he also lost his wife. Her heart and eyes "looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt" (19:26)-a lingering payment for living in Sodom. The next scene shows Lot drunk (19:33). Sad scene! Here is conduct unbecoming "righteous Lot."

Bad decisions are not necessarily sinful, but they often lead eventually to sin and spiritual ruin. The downward spiral continued; his ruin worsened. He became a fornicator with his own daughters. "But it was their plan. Their fault." Right! Yet that removed none of his shame-changed the incest not at all. Sodom's toll! Lot's stay in Sodom was paid in the currency of defiled integrity. Doubtless "righteous Lot" would have fared much better in the desert with Abram! Don't travel with "righteous Lot" seeing only the alluring money without considering the cost of your marriage, children, or spirituality.

Don't settle down with "righteous Lot" seeing the beautiful country without noticing the absence of spiritual support-no strong church. Don't join "righteous Lot" and tally all your prosperity without calculating all that you are losing. Don't end up with "righteous Lot-righteous but all alone- righteous but broken hearted. Don't share a fool's choice with "righteous Lot" along with the broken heart and bitter tears - and at the last, maybe lose your soul in the bargain.

Adapted from Joe Fitch